# Minor/adult relationships **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 24, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912 "2003-06-24T01:39:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912/21 "2003-06-24T04:04:26Z")
You live in Florida, **Doux elle?** Yes, in fact, there is a loophole! (I’m a Florida lawyer.) Our statutory-rape law was amended a few years ago – and unless it’s been amended again since the last time I had occasion to research it, sexual contact between a girl 16 years of age or older and a man 24 yoa or younger is not illegal. Sorry, I don’t have the statutory citation in front of me. And I would strongly advise your guy to double-check this before relying on it. Before the referenced amendments, by the way, there was a curious quirk in Florida statutory-rape law: If the girl-victim was over 14, it was a defense to the charges that she was not “of previously chaste character,” that is, a virgin. Obviously, this created a loophole through which you could drive a truck . . . or whatever. But that particular loophole has been eliminated. (_sigh_) ---
**Author:** ![effac3d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@effac3d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/effac3d)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912/22 "2003-06-24T04:23:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NinjaChick \* > \*\*I’m in a similar situation, (16, dating a guy who’s 21). > > 1. Most states, yes, you can have sex if you want. My advice is not to, but legally, you can. > 2. The maturity issue is big. He may be taking advantage of you, he may not. Be careful and use common sense, you should be pretty safe. > 3. Yes, your parents could get a restraining order against him. Don’t take it to that point. Talk to them about it, don’t whine, act mature (but not too mature). Again, be responsible. > 4. Just a note: if you should happen to get pregnant, he’s under no obligation whatsoever to offer any sort of support. May be something you want to keep in mind. \*\* Really? I was under the impression that paternity alone was grounds for paying child support. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912/23 "2003-06-24T04:36:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doux elle \* > \*\*Okay, I am 16 years old and very mature for my age. > \*\* 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛 :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912/24 "2003-06-24T04:51:50Z")
> [@](#): > > He said he wouldnt mind getting into trouble for me, as long as he knew I would still be there when everything was donea nd over with, with the law. Run. Run. Run. As a 21 year old guy, let me say that these are not the words of a rational person who cares about you. This is such a line. If you’ve _recently_ started to date this guy, and he essentially says you’re worth waiting through **jail** to have sex with, then it’s bad news. If he’s in it for the long haul, then he’ll wait. And, not, preferably, in a cell. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912/25 "2003-06-24T06:04:49Z")
The factual question seems to have been answered, so I’ll close this thread. If you want further advice, I suggest opening a thread in IMHO. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NinjaChick \* > \*\*4. Just a note: if you should happen to get pregnant, he’s under no obligation whatsoever to offer any sort of support. May be something you want to keep in mind. \*\* If you e-mail me with a cite to a Florida statute that actually says this, I’ll re-open this thread so you can post it. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912/26 "2003-06-24T12:31:58Z")
I’m reopening briefly just to make more explicit what **bibliophage** suggested: Advice from well-meaning people on a message board is NOT the same as advice from a lawyer. These people may have no idea what they’re talking about, but they heard what a friend said that his cousin said that her mother who’s a lawyer said… In short, do NOT accept advice about the law that is given on a Message Board. Not without checking with reliable sources. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-adult-relationships/183912.md?page=1)